RGDC to build 1.5 million s/f distribution center for General Mills in Georgia

Rockefeller Group Development Corp. (RGDC) has been selected by General Mills to construct a 1.5 million s/f distribution center. According to real estate research and portfolio strategy firm PPR, the facility is the largest build-to-suit distribution center to be built this year. "The Rockefeller Group is excited to be a part of General Mills' initiative to drive efficiency in its Southeast distribution operations," said Kevin Hackett, president and CEO of RGDC and Rockefeller Group International, Inc. "We are honored to be developing this state-of-the art facility in Social Circle and to have a tenant of General Mills' caliber." RGDC will build the 1.5 million s/f facility on a 130-acre site on East Hightower Trail in Walton County, Georgia that is serviced by Georgia Railroad and CSX Intermodal, making it ideal for distribution. RGDC will seek LEED-silver certification for the building which will include more than 25,000 s/f of office space to accommodate General Mills' administrative operations for the site. General Mills has the option to expand the building by 143,000 s/f to a total of more than 1.6 million s/f. "General Mills is thrilled to have The Rockefeller Group as developer of the Social Circle facility," said Mike Nordstrom, VP of Corporate Services, General Mills. "Their national presence, reputation as a developer, and expertise in building large distribution facilities, especially within a very tight timeframe, contributed to their selection." Site work on the project has begun with completion targeted for the second quarter of 2010.